On the main deck, Nami stood near the railing, looking over a nautical chart with Camie the mermaid and Hatchan the octopus Fish-Man.
"The Log Pose is locked onto Fishman Island," Nami said, tracing a line on the map. "But Robin mentioned that Fishman Island is located directly beneath the Red Line, ten thousand meters below the surface. How do we get the entire Sunny down to the ocean floor without the pressure crushing the hull?"
"You need a coating!" Camie explained cheerfully, her pink tail splashing in the small pool Ben had fabricated for her on the deck. "You have to get the ship coated in a special resin bubble! It encases the entire ship, allowing it to dive underwater while keeping the air inside perfectly breathable!"
"A bubble?" Nami frowned. "Where do we get a giant bubble that can wrap around a battleship?"
"At the Sabaody Archipelago," Hatchan replied, pouring a cup of tea with three of his six arms. "It's the final stop in the first half of the Grand Line before you reach the New World. The archipelago isn't actually made of islands; it's a massive forest of Yarukiman Mangrove trees growing directly out of the ocean. The roots secrete a special resin that creates the bubbles."
Hatchan smiled, setting the teapot down on the grass. "And you're in luck! I actually know a person there who can coat the ship. He's an old friend of mine, an absolute master coating mechanic. Once we land and get settled, I promise I'll take you straight to him. It's the least I can do to repay you for saving me."
"That's perfect!" Luffy cheered, pumping his fists. "A bubble ship!"
"Sabaody," Robin noted, closing her book as she walked over. "It is also a notorious gathering place for pirates, bounty hunters, and nobles. With our current bounties, arriving there will be... complicated."
As if on cue, the voice of the ship's cheerful AI avatar echoed across the deck.
"Papa! Captain!" Sunny called out from the helm, his holographic avatar waving a small flag. "Land ho! The Sabaody Archipelago is dead ahead!"
The crew rushed to the bow of the ship.
Rising from the ocean was a breathtaking sight. Massive, towering mangrove trees with thick, striped bark stretched high into the sky. Their roots were interwoven, creating vast networks of solid ground upon the water. Floating upward from the roots were thousands of shimmering, iridescent soap bubbles of various sizes, drifting lazily into the atmosphere.
"It's beautiful!" Chopper gasped, his eyes sparkling.
"Look at all those bubbles!" Luffy laughed, stretching his neck out to get a better view. "I wanna bounce on one!"
"Hold your horses, Captain," Ben said, stepping up to the control console next to Merry. "We are currently the most wanted crew on the sea. Sabaody is right next door to Marine Headquarters. The moment they spot the Sunny's figurehead or the Jolly Roger, we'll have three Admirals dropping in for lunch."
Ben tapped a few commands into the console. "Merry. Activate the Stealth Dome."
"You got it, Papa!" Merry grinned, flipping a switch on her dashboard. "Ghost Ship protocol engaged. Entering silent running."
VZZZT.
A faint, blue hexagonal grid washed over the Thousand Sunny. In the blink of an eye, the massive battleship vanished from the visible spectrum, blending perfectly with the ocean and the sky.
Operating under optical camouflage, the Sunny glided silently into the archipelago, weaving past dozens of docked pirate ships and Marine patrol boats before settling into an isolated, quiet grove of mangrove roots designated as Grove 41.
"Anchor dropped," Sunny reported. "We are secured and invisible."
"Good," Ben turned to face the crew, who had gathered on the lawn deck. "The ship is hidden. But we still have a problem. We need to find a coating mechanic to prep the ship for the underwater journey. Which means we have to walk into the city."
"So we just wear disguises," Usopp said, pulling out a pair of fake mustaches. "I am a master of disguise! They will never recognize God Usopp!"
"A fake mustache isn't going to hide a three-billion-berry crew, Usopp," Ben sighed. "Especially not when we have a talking reindeer, a cyborg, a skeleton, a mermaid, and an octopus Fish-Man with us. We are walking anomalies."
Ben stepped into the center of the lawn, a soft, iridescent blue light beginning to gather around his hands.
"I will change our appearances entirely. Line up."
Luffy was the first in line, vibrating with excitement. "Make me look cool, Ben! Like a samurai, or a guy with a giant meat-sword!"
Ben raised his hand, channeling the transmutation magic. A pulse of soft, white light washed over Luffy.
When the light faded, Luffy was gone. In his place stood a man wearing a bright orange martial arts gi with a blue undershirt and matching boots. His hair had exploded into massive, gravity-defying black spikes.
"Whoa! This outfit is so roomy!" Luffy cheered, throwing a few practice punches and admiring his spiky hair. "I look like a martial arts master!"
"It suits your punching style," Ben smirked.
"Next," Ben pointed at Zoro.
The magic washed over the swordsman. Zoro's green hair vanished, replaced by a head of incredibly messy, naturally wavy silver hair. He wore a black shirt, black pants, and a white yukata with a blue cloud pattern worn sloppily off one shoulder. The most striking change, however, was his face. His sharp, intense glare was gone, replaced by a pair of absolute, unbothered, half-lidded "dead fish eyes."
Zoro blinked his new, lazy eyes. He looked down at his outfit. He slowly reached up and tugged at his wavy silver hair.
A vein throbbed on his forehead.
"Magician," Zoro growled, his voice flat. "Why do I have a perm? What is this fluffy nightmare? I look like a poodle that got struck by lightning."
"It suits you," Sanji laughed, stepping up. "Make me look classy, Ben. A true gentleman of romance."
The light hit Sanji. His blonde hair turned sleek and raven-black, parted flawlessly to the side. He wore an immaculate, pitch-black butler's tailcoat, a silver pocket watch chain, and pristine white gloves. His visible eye glinted a subtle, demonic red.
"Oh, this is sharp," Sanji grinned, snapping his white gloves and shooting a smug look at Zoro. "Very elegant. Notice the difference in class, perm-head?"
"I'm going to shave your head next, butler," Zoro snapped.
Usopp shoved his way forward. "My turn! Make me look like a leader of men!"
Usopp transformed into a tall, muscular man with spiky, electric-blue hair. He wore a flowing red cape and a pair of massive, pointed, red triangular sunglasses.
"JUST WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK I AM?!" Usopp roared, pointing a finger at the sky, immediately overwhelmed by the sheer, unadulterated masculine energy of his new look.
"Me next!" Chopper squealed, jumping up and down.
The magic washed over the little reindeer. Instead of a furry mascot, Chopper was transmuted into a small, seven-year-old human boy. He wore a neat blue suit jacket, a red bowtie, and a pair of oversized, thick-rimmed glasses.
Chopper took one step forward and immediately tripped over his own feet, face-planting into the grass. "Whoa! Walking on two long legs feels so weird! And where did my fur go?! I feel naked!"
Franky stepped up, striking his signature pose. The light hit the cyborg. He transformed into an incredibly tall, imposing figure wearing a long, dark trench coat adorned with golden chains.
Franky reached up to adjust the peaked cap on his head, but paused. He pulled harder. "Ow! Hey, this hat is pretty SUPER, but... why won't it come off? Wait... my hair IS the hat?!"
Vivi transformed into a fierce, beautiful warrior with long, flowing scarlet hair, wearing an elegant silver breastplate and a pleated blue skirt. "I feel ready for battle," Vivi smiled, admiring her armor. "It's surprisingly flexible."
Nami's light-orange hair grew longer and turned a bright, sunny blonde. She wore a simple blue and white top, with a ring of golden keys attached to her hip. "Oh, I like the keys," Nami noted, jingling them. "Though for some reason, looking like this makes me feel like I owe someone rent money."
Then, Brook stepped forward. "A disguise for a skeleton? How curious! Will you make me a different kind of skeleton? Yohoho!"
Ben smirked and snapped his fingers.
The magic enveloped Brook completely. The bleached white bones vanished. Skin, muscle, and tissue rapidly formed over his skeletal frame.
When the light faded, Brook was a living, breathing human being. He was tall and lanky, wearing a sharp, fluffy dark-green suit with a yellow shirt. He had a mop of dark, unruly hair and a very casual, laid-back expression.
Brook looked down at his hands. He saw skin. He felt the breeze against the hairs on his arms.
"I... I have flesh," Brook whispered, his voice trembling. He touched his own cheeks. He blinked his eyes. "I have retinas! I can see! Oh, the breeze feels so strange on my actual pores! Excuse me, Nami-san, now that I have functional eyeballs, may I see your pan—"
WHACK!
Nami, entirely reflexively, punched him in the back of the head, driving him straight into the deck.
"Ouch! I can feel pain!" Brook cheered from the floor, rubbing his head with a massive smile. "I feel alive! This is magnificent! Thank you, Magician-san!"
Ben quickly turned his attention to the giants and the non-humans.
Dory and Brogy were transformed into massive, overwhelmingly muscular human men—one with a spectacular blonde mustache and a tiny tuft of hair on his head, the other sporting dreadlocks and a butcher's apron.
"Gebababa! This body... it demands to be flexed!" Dory roared. He and Brogy instantly ripped off their shirts, flexing their biceps so hard that tiny, inexplicable pink sparkles magically appeared and hovered in the air around them.
Oimo and Kashii were transmuted into towering, impossibly ripped men wearing flowing loincloths and ancient golden jewelry. They immediately leaned against each other, striking a series of bizarre, highly dramatic poses that seemed to defy anatomical joints.
Hatchan the six-armed octopus was transmuted into a very short, very old, bald human man wearing orange sunglasses and carrying a massive, heavy purple turtle shell on his back. "I feel old," Hatchan grunted, rubbing a long, fake white beard. "And why do I have the sudden urge to read inappropriate magazines?"
Camie turned into a human teenager with long blonde hair, wearing a white and blue sailor uniform. "This skirt is a bit breezy..." Camie blushed, pulling the hem down.
Pappag the starfish became a small, flying blue cat with a green backpack. "I'm a cat?!" Pappag shrieked, flapping his tiny white wings. "I used to be a starfish! This is a biological downgrade! Where is my street cred?!"
Caroo was turned into a massive, yellow, ostrich-like bird. He let out a strange, echoing "Wark!" instead of a quack, looking utterly confused by his own voice.
"Alright," Ben clapped his hands, looking over the bizarre, chaotic assembly standing on his deck. "The disguises are flawless. No one will connect this group to the Straw Hat Pirates."
"What about you, Papa?" Mini Merry asked, tugging on Ben's coat.
"Right," Ben said. He focused the transmutation magic on himself.
Ben's silver-white pirate mane shortened and turned a pristine, sleek blonde. His unbuttoned floral shirt shifted into a sharp, immaculately tailored, three-piece mint-green suit with a red tie. He looked entirely professional, calm, and impossibly handsome.
Robin watched the transformation, a soft smile touching her lips. "A very sharp look, Magician-san. It suits you."
Ben turned to her, extending his hand. The magic washed over Robin.
Her casual clothes vanished. Her hair remained a deep, rich black, but was styled differently, framing her face elegantly with a golden headband holding it in place. She wore a stunning, form-fitting black halter-neck dress with an open back and a red rose pattern woven into the interior lining, paired with thigh-high black boots. She looked breathtakingly beautiful, radiating an aura of polite elegance mixed with absolute, deadly grace.
Robin looked down at her dress, admiring the sleek design. "An elegant choice for an assassination... or a stroll," she chuckled lightly.
Mini Merry, who was standing between them in her own simple pink dress with twin cone-shaped hair buns (Anya), looked up at Ben and then up at Robin.
"Papa," Merry blinked her large, mechanical eyes, a bright, knowing smile spreading across her face. "Are you taking Auntie Robin on a date?"
Ben didn't miss a beat. He smoothly reached down, lifting Merry effortlessly with his left arm. He planted a gentle kiss on her cheek.
"You are entirely too perceptive, my cute little spy," Ben laughed as Merry giggled, wrapping her arms around his neck.
Nearby, Sunny, who had been transmuted into a small boy with white hair and a blue suit (Damian), crossed his arms and let out a loud, exaggerated huff. He puffed out his cheeks, looking pointedly away from Ben with a clear, pouty expression of jealousy.
Ben chuckled again. He stepped over, lifting Sunny with his right arm so he was holding both android children. He pressed a quick kiss to Sunny's cheek as well.
"You're cute too, Sunny," Ben smiled.
Sunny's pout vanished instantly, replaced by a wide, embarrassed grin as he giggled and hugged Ben's shoulder.
Ben set the two laughing kids back down on the grass. He turned his attention back to Robin, offering his arm with an easy, charming smile.
"Well, Robin," Ben asked politely. "We have a beautiful archipelago to explore. Would you do me the honor of accompanying me into the city?"
Robin's blue eyes crinkled in amusement. A faint dusting of pink touched her cheeks, but she didn't hesitate. She stepped forward and gracefully looped her arm through his.
"I would be delighted," Robin replied softly.
CRUNCH.
On the other side of the deck, Sanji bit down so hard on a handkerchief he had conjured that the fabric audibly tore.
The cook, currently disguised as the slick demonic butler, was vibrating with a mixture of profound, unadulterated jealousy and utter devastation.
"He did it again," Sanji wept, biting his fist. "The Magician smoothly secured a date with Robin-chwan before we even dropped the anchor. My heart cannot take this level of defeat!"
Sanji spun around, his red eyes locking onto Nami and Vivi, who were currently adjusting their new, magical outfits.
Sanji instantly dropped to one knee, sliding across the grass until he was perfectly positioned in front of the two women.
"NAMI-SWAAAAAN! VIVI-CHWAAAAAN!" Sanji swooned, clasping his white-gloved hands together. "Please! I beg of you! Allow this humble, heartbroken servant to escort you through the dangers of Sabaody! I will carry your bags! I will purchase your snacks! I will be your flawless, devoted butler!"
Nami looked at Sanji, then looked at Vivi. Nami smiled a very devious smile.
"Well," Nami noted, jingling her celestial keys. "We do have hundreds of millions of berries to spend, and I plan on buying a lot of clothes. Having a pack mule would be very convenient."
"We accept your offer, Sanji-kun," Vivi giggled.
Sanji's depression evaporated instantly. He shot straight up into the air, surrounded by a whirlwind of pink hearts. "I AM IN HEAVEN! I SHALL BE THE GREATEST PACK MULE IN ALL OF SABAODY!"
With the immediate social dynamics settled, Ben clapped his hands, turning to the rest of the crew.
"Alright, we split into groups," Ben commanded, falling into his tactical role. "Robin and I will handle our own business. Sanji, you are on protection and bag-duty for Nami, Vivi, Chopper, and Caroo. Stick to the shopping districts."
"Understood!" Sanji saluted sharply.
"Luffy," Ben looked at the captain, who was currently shadowboxing in his new orange gi. "You take Usopp, Brook, Camie, Pappag, and Hatchan. Go hit the Sabaody Amusement Park first. Eat food, ride the rides, but stay out of trouble. After you're done goofing off, Hatchan, lead them to your coating mechanic friend to get the ship arrangements sorted."
"Amusement park!" Luffy cheered, pumping his fists. "Let's go find the meat stalls!"
"And the rollercoasters!" Usopp added, pushing his pointy red glasses up his nose.
"Leave it to me," Hatchan nodded, adjusting his heavy purple turtle shell. "I know the way to the park, and I'll take you to my friend's shop right after."
"Zoro, Franky, and the Giants," Ben finished. "You guys hit the local bars eat, drink, and enjoy the city, but keep a low profile."
"Yare yare daze," Franky muttered, pulling his cap down. "Finally, some shore leave."
"Wait, who's guarding the ship?" Usopp asked, adjusting his pointy red glasses.
"The stealth dome is active, and I've set the automated defense turrets to lethal," Ben noted dryly. "If anyone finds the ship, they'll be vaporized before they can touch the paint. Let's all just enjoy a day off."
With the groups assigned and their disguises flawless, the entirety of the Straw Hat Pirates disembarked the Thousand Sunny, stepping into the vibrant, bubble-filled streets of the Sabaody Archipelago to enjoy their hard-earned rest, entirely unaware of the storm brewing high above the clouds.
Mary Geoise - The Room of Authority
High atop the Red Line, far removed from the bustling, carefree atmosphere of Sabaody, the Room of Authority in Pangaea Castle was suffocatingly quiet.
The Five Elders sat in their respective chairs. The atmosphere was incredibly tense. The absolute failure of the Thriller Bark operation had severely bruised the pride of the World Government.
A golden Den Den Mushi rested on the low table in the center of the room. The face of Fleet Admiral Sengoku glared back at them from the receiver.
"The cover-up is complete," Sengoku's voice was a low, furious rumble. "We have suppressed all information regarding Thriller Bark. But the fact remains: we sent an execution fleet, and the targets vanished into thin air."
"The Magician," Saint Jaygarcia Saturn said, his voice cold. "His powers are far more powerful than our initial intelligence suggested. To extract an entire crew and a battleship instantly... he is a dangerous threat."
"That is not our only problem," Sengoku continued, his tone turning grim. "Bartholomew Kuma has gone missing."
Saint Marcus Mars narrowed his eyes, stroking his mustache. "Missing?"
"Following the engagement at Thriller Bark, Kuma returned to his designated rendezvous point," Sengoku reported. "After that we have lost complete contact with him."
Saint Topman Warcury crossed his arms, his massive forehead creased in thought. "Kuma is an obedient weapon. Vegapunk's programming guarantees his loyalty. He would not simply abandon his post."
"Hang up the line, Sengoku," Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro ordered flatly. "We will handle this."
Click. The connection was severed.
Nusjuro immediately picked up a different, highly secure black Den Den Mushi. He dialed a classified frequency.
"Yes? This is Vegapunk." The voice of the world's greatest scientist echoed from the snail, sounding distracted by the background noise of machinery.
"Dr. Vegapunk," Nusjuro said, leaning forward. "We have a situation regarding Pacifista Prototype Zero. Bartholomew Kuma. He is unresponsive. Access his tracking module and locate him immediately."
There was a brief pause on the line, accompanied by the sound of rapid typing.
"I cannot do that, Saint Nusjuro," Vegapunk replied, his tone shifting from distracted to deeply concerned.
"Explain," Saturn demanded.
"The signal is gone," Vegapunk reported. "It didn't just fail due to distance or interference. Kuma is no longer connected to the network. He is completely off the grid."
The Five Elders sat in absolute silence.
To sever the control chips of a Pacifista required a level of medical and technological genius that rivaled Vegapunk himself. It was a surgical impossibility for standard doctors.
"This is unacceptable," Mars stated, standing up and pacing the room. "If Kuma returns to Dragon with the intelligence he gathered while operating as a Warlord, the Revolutionary Army will gain a massive tactical advantage."
"He will not go to Dragon immediately," Nusjuro noted, his sharp eyes calculating the angles. "Kuma is a man driven by sentiment. He surrendered his life to us for one reason alone."
Warcury nodded, understanding the strategy. "His daughter. Jewelry Bonney."
"If Kuma is free, his first priority will be ensuring her safety," Saturn said, leaning on his cane. "He will try to find her."
Nusjuro picked up the black Den Den Mushi again. He did not dial Vegapunk this time. He dialed the direct command line for the elite assassination forces of CP0.
"Aegis Command. Standing by," a cold, modulated voice answered.
"We have a Priority One target," Nusjuro ordered, his voice devoid of any mercy. "Locate the pirate captain known as Jewelry Bonney. Capture her alive."
"Understood. And if she resists?"
"Break her crew," Nusjuro commanded. "Bring the girl to Mary Geoise in chains. Once we have her, Kuma will have no choice but to surrender himself to us once again. The leash will be reapplied."
The Five Elders sat back in their chairs as the order was given. The war with the Straw Hats had created a ripple effect, and the World Government was moving swiftly to crush the rebellion before it could spread.